12A | 100min | Drama | UK
Director: Lone Scherfig
Writers: Lynn Barber (memoir), Nick Hornby (screenplay)
Stars: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina
A coming-of-age story about a teenage girl in 1960s suburban London, and how her life changes with the arrival of a playboy nearly twice her age.
I couldn't really sympathise with the main protagonist. She is privileged and selfish. She might throw away Oxford? Boo-hoo.
The character Peter Sarsgaard played was much more interesting! He was the real star - far more complicated and interesting. How did he become a con man? Why? That is the point this film missed for me.
It's always tough when you don't warm to the main character... Not warm to, but have no "wspΓ³Εczucie" - "common feeling" - with. This girl is just not as alluring and charming as we are meant to think. Like I say, he's the hero.
She is also clearly way older than 16. And not quite the new Audrey Hepburn she'd been touted as.
Good cameo from Emma Thompson ("You're not a woman!" - best line in the film).
I have no idea what the message was in this film. If indeed there was a message, it's that the spoilt little girl gets what she wants.
Pointless.
